Section 730.270  Prehearing Conference

a)         Upon motion by the Hearing Officer or any Party, the Hearing Officer may direct the Parties to attend a prehearing conference, at a mutually convenient time and place prior to the Administrative Hearing date, for the purpose of:

1)         Simplifying the issues;

2)         Limiting the issues;

3)         Amending the Petition for Hearing or Notice of Hearing, if necessary;

4)         Stipulating to facts and/or admissions;

5)         Limiting the number of witnesses or evidence;

6)         Mutually exchanging prepared testimony and exhibits; and

7)         Any other matters that aid in the simplification of the Administrative Hearing.

b)         Any agreements, understandings or conclusions made at a prehearing conference shall be in the form of a prehearing order, signed by the Hearing Officer and all Parties or representatives involved in the Administrative Hearing, and shall become a part of the administrative record.

c)         Unless otherwise precluded by law, any case may be disposed of by stipulation, agreed settlement, consent order or default. Any settlement must be signed by the Hearing Officer and all Parties involved. The settlement agreement shall be memorialized by a report and the Hearing Officer shall enter an Order dismissing the case with prejudice.